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Making the Swedish World Junior Squad: Forwards |
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The Swedes will have the benefit of 7 returning forwards, luckily for them several are stars. This offense will need to do some heavy lifting to make up for the loss of their two best defensemen to injury. Looking at the group, I'd say they'll be fine.
Filip Forsberg - Mika Zibanejad – Sebastian Collberg
Forsberg is having a decent year in the Allsvenskan and is definitely enjoying the benefit of more playing time. He’s still a steady two way guy and will probably get a look on the top line especially considering the amount of PP time he got in last year’s tournament. Zibanejad makes his return to the squad and will be expected to run the show offensively. His great mixture of physicality, skill and two-way dominance will make him a player to watch in this tournament. He hasn’t been blowing the AHL on fire, but Binghampton as a whole has been uncharacteristically weak offensively. Lastly Collberg from the Habs rounds out the top line. Since his loan to the Allsvenskan and subsequently getting more than 4 minutes of playing time, he has looked more like the international star we’ve seen in tournaments. Whatever that yellow sweater does for his confidence has really shown in the U18 and U20 tournaments so far.
Elias Lindholm – William Karlsson - Pontus Åberg
Lindholm is one of the top prospects in this year’s draft and I think a lock to go top-5. He’s been tearing up the Elitserien as a 17 year old and is also a complete defensive forward. He’s an extremely talented playmaker and is always in the action. He’s second in points for Brynäs and 5th in scoring for players under 24. The 19 year old Ducks prospect is an explosive offensive forward. Karlsson (No relation) has 12 points in 21 games in the Elitserien. I can see him having a breakout tournament. Åberg was unfortunately injured for last year’s tournament and it hurt his draft stock a little (pushing from into the second). He’s solid, reliable with some serious speed.
Alexander Wennberg - Victor Rask - Rickard Rakell
2013 available Wennberg is being looked at as one of the best players coming out of Sweden this year. He looked fantastic in the U18 tournament last year potting 3 and putting up 9 points in 6 games tying him for the lead. He’s tied for second just ahead of Åberg for Djurgården. Rask also makes a return to the squad and has been playing ok in the AHL for the Checkers. He recently returned to the WHL which is a good move for his development. He’s got some great creativity and while he’s not an ideal third line center, he’ll do. Rakell isn’t having a very good year in Plymouth and is struggling offensively like most of the team. He was very good as a secondary scorer in last year’s tournament and will be expected to provide that again.
Emil Lundberg - Jeremy Boyce - Max Görtz
The undrafted 19 year old will likely make this squad based on his size (6’4) fairly physical play, hard work and good defensive game. His skating has improved a lot and despite being pushed down to the third line with the additions of Matt Read and Carl Hagelin, he’s having a good year. He’ll see a lot of PK time. Boyce made the squad last year and played a role as a defensive forward. He’s the perfect fourth line center for a tournament like this; he’s great on the face-offs, has fantastic puck pursuit and grinds well. Lastly Görtz is a pretty simple player; he’s safe and has good speed and size. He protects the puck well.
Just Missing Out:
Nick Sörensen (2013), Daniel Zaar (Blue Jackets), Viktor Arvidsson (Undrafted), Christopher Fish (Undrafted), Joachim Nermark (Avalanche), André Burakovsky (2013), Jacob de la Rose (2013), Jesper Frödén (2013) and Erik Nyström (Habs).
Thanks for reading. Goalie and full squad up next.
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